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    Category: Director General

    Director General

    Attended by Azerbaijani President and Co-organized by ICESCO… World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue Kicks off in Baku

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Sixth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the participation of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and high-level representatives from 110 countries. The Forum, co-organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), UNESCO, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is themed ” Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity.”

    In his opening remarks, H.E. President Aliyev commended the international organizations involved in organizing the Forum, highlighting the contributions of the distinguished participants in developing new methodologies to address major issues in the international agenda. H.E. President Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan has always been a crossroads of cultures throughout history thanks to its strategic location between the East and West, which added to the Azerbaijani society’s cultural richness and ethnic diversity, and its commitment to tolerance, coexistence, respect, and partnership.

    In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, emphasized the Organization’s openness to all in light of its forward-looking vision and strategic orientations in an international and regional context that calls for practical solutions to resolve conflicts through strengthening the foundations of culture and dialogue and urging regional and international research centers to adopt reliable standards in issuing information and analysis on which policies are based. Dr. AlMalik added that the state of peace and degree of security are two reliable standards that reassure people to look forward to a better future.

    Dr. AlMalik commended the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan, its President, government, and people and expressed his gratitude to H.E. President Aliyev for his efforts to promote dialogue among nations. Dr. AlMalik stressed the importance of the Forum in a world that is still regressing at the level of security and coexistence. Dr. AlMalik reviewed statistics showing that 2023 recorded the highest rates of deteriorating security and escalating conflicts internationally, with 183 armed conflicts, a 28% increase in violent incidents, 800 million people below the poverty line, a decline in the number of teachers, and 459 armed groups whose activities provoke humanitarian concerns, with 195 million people living under their full or partial control.

    Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik lauded the outcomes of the “Baku Process” and the several events being held in Baku, expressing pride in the distinguished partnership between the Organization and Azerbaijan, to be reinforced by the upcoming activities of celebrating Shusha as the Culture Capital of the Islamic World for 2024. Dr. AlMalik reviewed a set of ICESCO programs in this regard and stated that the two sides have identical views of the cultural and civilizational scenes as they have the same aspirations and understanding of global dialogue.

    For his part, Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, called for joint efforts to achieve peace and stability globally and for greater solidarity and complementarity among civilizations and cultures to resolve conflicts. Mr. Moratinos stressed the need to intensify dialogue to stop wars and affirmed that the alliance of civilizations is a crucial step in preserving human dignity and a moral duty that guarantees the protection of human rights.

    Following the opening session, the Forum’s three-day working sessions began with the participation of a high-level delegation from ICESCO, including Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnership and International Cooperation Sector, Ambassador Khalid Fath Al-Rahman, Director of the Civilizational Dialogue Center, Dr. Weber Ndoro, Director of the Center of Heritage in the Islamic World, Dr. Hesham El-Askary, Advisor to DG.

    ICESCO and UNCCD Explore Cooperation Prospects in Preparation for COP16 in Riyadh

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The meeting discussed ways of enhancing cooperation and joint action in preparation for the Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which will be hosted in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, with a high-level presence of heads of state and government, ministers and experts from all over the world.

    During the meeting, held on Monday, April 29, 2024, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the two parties stressed their keenness to contribute to the success of COP 16, which is a major event gaining further momentum in light of the global climate change and its threat to natural resources and food security.

    The meeting also touched on ICESCO’s participation and activities throughout the conference days, from December 2-13, in full coordination and cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. These activities will focus on building young people’s capacities in the field of the environment to raise awareness of climate change and environmental challenges, including desertification, within the framework of the Organization’s strategic orientations to prioritize environment protection, implement a number of initiatives, programs and projects, encourage Member States to invest in renewable energy, shift towards flexible, smart and sustainable cities, and promote the use of modern technology in agriculture.

    Moreover, ICESCO DG indicated that the Organization will form a team of experts and officials to devise the program of ICESCO participation in COP 16 and supervise the preparation and implementation of its activities in this major international event.

    Agreement to Deepen Partnership between ICESCO and OIC

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General (SG) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Riyadh, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group, currently hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They discussed enhancing the partnership between ICESCO and OIC, especially in the fields of education, science, and culture.

    At the outset of the Meeting, held today, Sunday, April 28, 2024, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s strong commitment to deepening existing cooperation with its parent organization (OIC), in service of the Member States of both organizations, and to enhance joint action through the implementation of programs and projects in the fields of science, culture, and education, especially girls’ education, capacity-building for youth and women, and social welfare for vulnerable groups in countries most in need.

    ICESCO DG extended an invitation to OIC SG to visit Rabat during the meetings of the Joint Committee for Cooperation between the two organizations, held annually to coordinate cooperation plans between ICESCO and OIC, in order to closely acquaint himself with flagship initiatives and programs undertaken by each organization.

    For his part, OIC SG welcomed the invitation, appreciating the roles of ICESCO and its implementation of programs and projects to support the countries of the Islamic world in its areas of expertise, reaffirming his keenness to continue the partnership between the two organizations.

    ICESCO Director-General Meets Maldivian Ministers of Finance and Islamic Affairs

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (ICESCO), met with Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq, Minister of Finance, and Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, on the sidelines of their participation in the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and the Maldives in areas of common interest.

    During the meeting, which took place on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Riyadh, Dr. AlMalik emphasized ICESCO’s commitment to developing and enhancing cooperation with the Republic of Maldives as part of the Organization’s vision and strategic direction. He reviewed the key pillars of this vision and highlighted the initiatives, programs, and activities currently being implemented by ICESCO, focusing on building the capacities of youth and women to face future challenges, leveraging the potential of modern technology, anchoring values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue, and preserving and promoting heritage.

    The Meeting also discussed proposals for programs and activities of cooperation between ICESCO and the Maldives, following the Organization’s approach of identifying the priorities and needs of its Member States and designing appropriate projects for each country.

    Furthermore, the Meeting addressed the issue of the Maldives’ overdue contribution to ICESCO’s budget, with both ministers confirming their commitment to settling it as soon as possible.

    ICESCO invites Arab Coordination Group to hold its next meeting at the Organization’s headquarters

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (ICESCO), praised the significant work being done by the Arab Group for the Coordination of National and Regional Development Institutions, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the OPEC International Development Fund to ensure effective response to financing development projects in several countries of the Islamic world. This is achieved by coordinating efforts and enhancing procedures related to financing major projects and programs in these countries to contribute to achieving strategic development goals.

    The remarks came during the DG’s address, delivered on Sunday 28 April 2024, at the Arab Coordination Group Forum, held as part of the annual meetings of the IsDB Group, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, from 27 to 30 April 2024, coinciding with the celebration of the Bank’s golden jubilee, marking its 50th anniversary.

    Dr. AlMalik also called on the said Group to hold its next meeting at the ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, commending the joint efforts of all Group institutions aimed at achieving sustainable development and prosperity by cooperating with institutions, states, governments, and international organizations to practically contribute to improving the quality of life for individuals and advancing societies.

    Dr. AlMalik’s invitation, embodying ICESCO’s new forward-looking vision of openness and cooperation for the benefit of its Member States, was warmly welcomed by the attendees.

    ICESCO headquarters: Discussion of Outputs of Knowledge Index Report 2023 in the Islamic World

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held a meeting to discuss the outputs of the Knowledge Index Report of 2023, as well as initiatives to improve Muslim countries’ rankings in the upcoming Index reports.

    The meeting was held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat and saw the participation of a number of ICESCO’s experts and heads of sectors and departments, in addition to a host of Member States’ representatives who took part in the meeting via videoconference. The meeting discussed the Knowledge Index data in the Islamic world and explored ways to improve the region’s performance in the annually issued Index.

    In his address at the meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), highlighted the Organization’s close cooperation ties with the Foundation and the UNDP, a cooperation focused on exploring effective ways to improve the rankings of ICESCO Member States in the Knowledge Index. The DG also stated that this meeting aims to define the indicators in the Member States and work closely to identify strengths and weaknesses to contribute to their improvement and development.

    Dr. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), gave an overview of the Foundation’s goals and mission to support knowledge in the Arab and Islamic worlds, highlighting key initiatives implemented by the Foundation and its international partners to anticipate the future of knowledge and develop future skills.

    He also emphasized the centrality of this meeting in the process of introducing some ICESCO Member States to the Knowledge Index, and supporting other countries to rank higher in this Index, given its significance in their economic and developmental progress.

    Moreover, the meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Hani Turki, Director of the Knowledge Project at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), who discussed the Knowledge Index in ICESCO’s Member States for 2023. His presentation focused on the States’ achievements, the strengths and weaknesses of their data, the clear gap among them in this regard, and issues related to data collection and availability in some countries.

    Afterwards, the parties discussed the report findings, the methods used to process and verify them, as well as the role of National Commissions in pooling efforts to control the quality of data sent to international institutions and organizations, and ensure their accuracy and the use of proper tools to assess data and derive diagnostic and analytical studies.

    ICESCO and UNIDO Explore Cooperation Developments

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Hanan Hanzaz, Special Representative of the DG of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the Arab Region, to explore ways of developing cooperation between the two organizations in areas of common interest.

    At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters, in Rabat, Ms. Hanan Hanzaz conveyed the greetings of Mr. Gerd Müller, UNIDO DG, as well as his invitation to Dr. AlMalik to visit the Organization’s headquarters, in Vienna, to hold a bilateral meeting at the earliest convenience, and attend the upcoming UNIDO General Conference, due to be held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 2025.

    For his part, ICESCO DG welcomed the invitation to visit UNIDO’s headquarters, stressing his keenness to develop and enhance cooperation between the two parties through practical and impactful programs and projects, the results of which will be presented during the UNIDO General Conference, in Riyadh, in 2025.

    Dr. AlMalik pointed out that ICESCO has been developed and modernized during the past five years through its new vision, strategic orientations, organizational structure and working mechanisms, adding that the Organization adopts an open cooperation approach with international organizations to promote the integration of roles in such a way as to serve Member States. He also reviewed the key initiatives, programs and projects that ICESCO has implemented in its areas of competence.

    The meeting touched on future cooperation proposals, especially on vocational education and training, building the capacities of youth and women to acquire the necessary skills for tomorrow’s professions, and supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and artificial intelligence.

    At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination and hold expert meetings to develop joint cooperation programs, which will be included in an agreement to be signed by the two Organizations based on a specific implementation program.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Chief Executive Officer of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, to discuss ways to promote cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation. The cooperation comes within the framework of the agreement signed between the two parties in March 2023, which provides for capitalizing on the expertise and capacities of both sides for the benefit of ICESCO Member States to improve their ranking in the Global Knowledge Index, issued annually by the Foundation and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

    The meeting, held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Hani Turki, Director of the UNDP Knowledge Project, discussed ways to address the challenges associated with the data included in the Knowledge Index report. The meeting also focused on the importance of countries updating these data to assume the appropriate position for the level of progress achieved in the fields monitored by the Index.

    The two parties discussed the participation of the index officials in the Conference of Ministers of Education in the Islamic World, to be hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in Muscat next October, as well as ICESCO’s participation in the Knowledge Summit in Dubai in November 2024. The two sides also discussed holding workshops for experts from ICESCO Member States to elaborate on the working mechanisms of the Knowledge Index, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between countries to reflect reality in the annual index report, and to exchange expertise and experiences in this regard.

    At the close of the meeting, the two parties reaffirmed their keenness to strengthen the existing cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, and to sustain coordination with the Organization’s Member States regarding the Knowledge Index.

    ICESCO Director-General Receives Libyan News Agency Director-General

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Ibrahim Hadia Al-Majbari, the DG of the Libyan News Agency and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Celebrating Benghazi as Capital of Culture in the Islamic World. The two officials discussed several topics during the meeting, including the preparations for Dr. AlMalik’s visit to Tripoli to participate in the International Conference on the Holy Quran, as well as coordination regarding the programs and cultural events to be held during the Benghazi celebration.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik praised the depth of the partnership between the Organization and the State of Libya in the fields of education, science, and culture, reaffirming ICESCO’s keenness to enhance cooperation with all Libyan institutions concerned with the Organization’s scope of work.


    ICESCO DG also outlined the key pillars of ICESCO’s new vision, emphasizing its focus on the development and modernization of the Organization to keep pace with the rapid global changes occurring across all fields, foreseeing the future and contributing to preparations made to face its challenges, and meet the aspirations, in the fields of education, science, and culture, of its Member States and Muslim communities worldwide.

    For his part, Mr. Al-Majbari praised ICESCO’s distinguished efforts in its areas of expertise. He discussed the arrangements for the visit of ICESCO’s DG to Tripoli, at the beginning of upcoming May, to participate in the International Conference on the Holy Quran, as well as the necessary logistical arrangements for the launch of the celebration of Benghazi as capital of culture in the Islamic world, calling for strengthening cooperation between the Organization and the State of Libya to serve the interests of both sides.

    Attending the meeting from ICESCO’s side were Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture and Communication Sector, Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Director of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the General Directorate of the Organization

    International Scientific Seminar on the Status of Girls’ Education in the Arab and Islamic Worlds Kicks off at ICESCO’s Headquarters

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The scientific seminar, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Arab Women Organization (AWO), kicked off on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, to discuss the status of girls’ education and provide the essential knowledge and tools and exchange expertise with the aim of promoting dialogue on ensuring inclusive and integrated education for girls in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

    The opening session initiated with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG) , delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG. Dr. Benarafa stressed ICESCO’s keenness to achieve equity and provide quality education for all learners, support girls’ capacity building in literacy and numeracy skills and endeavor to enable innovation and change, calling on the international community to promote synergy and devote appropriate consideration to education in the developmental processes.

    Dr. Fadia Kiwan, AWO Director-General, and Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, via videoconferencing, then revealed the slogan of the seminar:  “Just Let Her Go to School.” In her intervention, Dr. Fadia stated that the seminar aims to exchange knowledge and expertise on the status and prospects for joint efforts to overcome obstacles to girls’ education. Dr. Fadia underscored the significant development of the Arab and Islamic countries over the past two decades as school enrollment for boys and girls witnessed a qualitative leap in several countries, except in those experiencing wars and armed conflicts.

    In her remarks, Dr. Aawatif Hayar, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family in the Kingdom of Morocco, reviewed Morocco’s efforts in protecting children’s rights. Her speech, delivered on her behalf by Dr. Mohamed Ait Azizi, Director of the Family and Childhood Department of the Ministry, highlighted the country’s innovative policies geared towards ensuring girls’ access to education.

    For her part, Ms. Safiya bint Intah, Mauritanian Minister of Social Affairs, Children and Family, highlighted the key obstacles to girls’ education in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, including child marriage, poverty, and poor coordination between families and schools, and the measures implemented by the country to address these challenges.

    In her address, delivered on her behalf by Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation at ICESCO, Dr. Koumbou Barry, Head of the Education Sector at the Organization, emphasized the need to intensify efforts to combat the marginalization of girls, address the economic gaps and inequalities between male and female youth in the Arab and Islamic worlds, and leverage technology to reach girls deprived of education.

    Subsequently, the Seminar’s first-day sessions began. The first session discussed comparative studies on the status of girls’ education in the Arab and Islamic worlds, while the second focused on the economic consequences of denying girls access to education.